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In a freshly published memoir, called Ithaki, the former prime minister Alexis Tsipras pulls no punches as he examines the turbulent period during Greece's economic turmoil.

An Unconventional Appointment

According to Tsipras's account, he selected that unorthodox academic Varoufakis as the treasury head largely because of his global profile along with his highly compelling abilities when it came to speaker.

“He was, actually, more of a celebrity and less of an economic expert,” recalled Tsipras.

Clashing Priorities

The former leader claims that Varoufakis had a personal motives that involved advancing Varoufakis's publications as well as experimenting with his own theories on Greece instead of genuinely fighting for its economic stability.

He explained how the negotiations to avoid bankruptcy were “not only a way of achieving a better deal for Greece. They became a test, an historic chance to prove the truth of Varoufakis's theories.”

Critical Talks

Amid rollercoaster negotiations, Greece found itself dangerously close to exiting the single currency area.

On the line was not only the country's destiny and those severe cutbacks demanded in return for rescue loans from international creditors.

Failed Options

Efforts to secure funds elsewhere, including a desperate plea to the Kremlin to buy Greek bonds, fell on stony ground.

Assisting Greece would be equivalent to tossing cash in the trash-can, Putin is reputed to have told Tsipras in Moscow.

Referendum Followed by Reversal

In July 2015, those punitive bailout terms were subjected to a public vote, an action that threw Europe into a further crisis of identity.

Even though the vote was carried resoundingly by those who opposed austerity, the prime minister had little option but to ignore the result and negotiate a rescue deal with creditors that proved to be tougher.

Final Straw

The ex-PM revealed that he began to doubt Varoufakis quite early on.

“Varoufakis was the face of negotiation, the figure who attracted media attention, who appeared on the covers of magazines globally … he gave the impression he relished the spotlight.”

When Varoufakis outlined a contingency plan involving creating a secondary currency as well as issuing vouchers to pensioners, the leader said he realised it was the end questioning Varoufakis: “Can you be serious?”

Lasting Criticism

In the book, Tsipras asserts that Varoufakis had proved himself “unfit for an agreement demanding complex and delicate handling.”

Tsipras also claimed how Varoufakis's aggressive style made him increasingly isolated with colleagues, endangered the country, and helped hawks who were advocating a Greek exit from the euro.

This retelling of history has provoked fury along with stunned disbelief among certain groups, while Varoufakis has maintained a deafening silence on the matter.